Hopper



Sept. 8, 1936 s. BENNETT HOPPER Original Filed Sept. 12, 1932 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor- Joseph &Bennett By %AKM Sept. 8, 1936.

J. s. BENNETT HOPPER Original Filed Sept. 12', 1932 P 1936- J. s. BENNETT 22,053,862

HOPPER Original Filed Sept. 12, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor' Patented Sept. 8, 1936 *UNITED STATES HOPPER Joseph S. Bennett, Merion, Pa., assignor to American Engineering Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application September 12, 1932, Serial No. 632,'731. Divided and this application Octobcr 23, 1934, Serial 6 Claims.

This invention relates to hoppers, and more particularly to ash hoppers employed in boiler furnaces.

Hoppers of the stated character are usually constructed of a series of cast iron plates secured to a structural steel framework. In the past it has been the custom to design a new set of plates each time a hopper of a difierent size was required. The expense involved by such practice is obviously great since each time a new plate is designed a new pattern must be made and the'general cost of assembly also is greater in that each hopper is different in Construction from the ones previously built.

One object of the present invention is to provide plates of standard Construction so that hoppers of various sizes may be built without necessitating the design and Construction of new plates.

Another object is to provide a hopper of two main sections, one of which is of standard size and shape, the other of which may be varied in accordance with the dimensions of the ash pit of the furnace.

A further object is to provide the sectional plates of hoppers with hinged joints so that the slope of the walls of the hopper may be varied and yet maintain a water seal between the plates.

A still further object is to construct a hopper of standard plates of different sizes so that the depth of the hopper may be varied in accordance with the head room beneath the furnace. I

A further object is to provide improved means for securing the sectional plates of the hopper to the structural framework.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view partly in section showing the general construction of the hopper and the trough associated therewith, and the Operating mechanism for the hopper gates.

Fig. 2 is a side View partly in section of the hopper and trough also showing the general arrangement of the Operating mechanism for the hopper gates.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the hopper with the gates and Operating mechanism therefor removed to show the general Construction of the hopper.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View showing the means for securing the cast metal plates of the hopper to the structural framework.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the general Construction of the cast metal plates of the hopper with refractory elements secured thereto.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view showing the construction of one of the cast metal plates of the hopper.

No. 749541 (c. 110-165) Fig. 7 is an end View of thecast metal plate shown in Fig. 6.

This application is a division of 4 my pending` application Serial Number 632,'731, filed Septem-'` ber 12, 1932, and assigned to the American Engineering Company.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates generally the hopper comprising the present invention, the present embodiment being employed in a stoker fired furnace 2. The ashes discharging from the stoker 3 enter the hopper l by gravity from which they may be periodically dumped into a car 4 by simply opening the gates 5.

The hopper l'comprises an upper section 6 and a lower section 1, the latter being of standard size and construction. Upper section 6 is Suspended from the walls of the ash pit 8 in any suitable manner. In the present instance section 6 has provided at the upper end thereof a structural supporting framework comprising angle cross members 9 and ll) respectively, Cross members 9 are secured by bolts or other. fastenng means 9' to the flat vertically disposed legs ll' of angles l I", secured in any suitable manner to the outwardly projecting legs' of structural members ll. Cross members n are similarly secured to the fiat vertically disposed legs IZ' of angles Iz", secured to the outwardly projecting legs of upright structural angle members l2.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, cross members 9 are secured by bolts or other fastening means to angle members l3', which in turn are secured to cross beams I 3. The cross member ID shown at the left hand end of the liopper (Fig. 3) is secured in a similar manner to an angle member IA', which in turn is secured to a beam [4 provided at one side of ash pit 8, while the cross member lfl at the right hand end of the hopper is secured to the lower leg l4" of the channel beam !4 provided at the other side of said ash pit 8.

The upper section 6 is secured to the lower section 'l of hopper I in a somewhat similar manner. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, structural cross members !5 and !6 are respectively secured to the lower ends of upright members ll and l2 of the upper section' 6. The upright structural members ll and l8 of the lower section 'l have secured at the upper ends thereof, respectively, struc tural cross members !9 and 20. structural members |5 and 19 have complementary surfaces which are secured together by rivets, bolts or by any other suitable securing means. structural members I 6 and 20 are secured together in a similar' manner. The lower section 'l is also provided with structural cross members 2| and 22 secured respectively, to the lower ends of upright members ll and !8. The walls of the'lower section 'I a're composecl of a series of cast' iron plates 23 which are bolted at their abutting ends to upright members IT and 18 and to cross members I 9 and 20, in any suitable manner such as by bolts 23', as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower plates 23 of the end walls are also bolted to each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The plates 23 comprising the side walls of section 'l are also bolted together as shown in Fig. 2. A suitable packing may be placed between the 'abutting ends of the plates 23 to prevent leakage of water or dust therethrough. The lower section 1, as was pointed out before, is of standard size and shape and is never varied. The upper section 6, however, is designed in accordance with the dimensions of the ash pit and the head room provided beneath the furnace, but the sectional plates comprising the walls thereof are of standard construction.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, it is seen that the walls of the upper section 6 are comprised of a series of cast iron plates 24 and 25. These plates are of rectangular Construction and have substantially the same horizontal dimension. The vertical dimension of plates 24, however, is substantially three times as great as that of plates 25. Plates of these dimensions are provided so that the depth of the hopper may be varied in accordance with the head room conditions of any furnace. The inner surface of these plates is smooth while the outer surface is provided with a reinforcing rib 26 extending around the outer perimeter thereof.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 1, 5 and '7, the plates 24 and 25 are provided with a seni-circular rib 21 along the upper edge thereof, and a correspondingly shaped recess 28 extending along the lower edge. Beveled faces 29 and 30 are also provided adjacent the recess 28 of each plate. In assembly the plates 24 and 25 are so arranged that the rib 21 of one plate is fitted into the recess of the next lower plate. This Construction not only provides a seal between the plates but permits the plates to be positioned at an angle with respect to each other and yet a sealed joint between the plates is maintained. Beveled surfaces similar to surfaces 29 and 30 may also be provided along the upper edge of each plate if it is desired. such a construction would permit a wider range of angularity between the plates.

The plates 24 and 25 are secured to the upright structural members Il and l2 by the securing means shown more particularly in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. Each plate 24 and 25 is provided with spaced bosses 3| near the ends thereof. Each boss 3| is formed with an enlarged rectangular recess 32 and an aperture 32' for receiving a bolt 33. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the plates 24 and 25 are secured to the upright members Il or l2 at their vertical abutting edges. In the present instance the bolts 33 are provided with an enlarged substantially cubical cast iron head 34 which, when the bolt is secured in place, rests in the recess 32. To secure the plates to the upright members H and |2 the bolts 33 are simply inserted through apertures 32' and aligned apertures provided in uprights ll or l2 and nuts 35, then draw the plates tightly into engagement with said uprights.

The head 34 rests snugly against the seat of the recess and thus an effective seal is provided. A suitable packing may be provided in the recess if it is so desired.

The plates 24 and 25 are also provided with a series of apertures 36 through which bolts 31 for securing refractory blocks 38 to the plates extend. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, the refractory blocks 38 are also provided with apertures for receiving bolts 31, which terminate in enlarged aligned recesses 39 and 40 at the inner and outer sides thereof, respectively. These recesses receive nuts 44! which draw the refractory blocks tightly against the .plates 24 and 25. Suitable packing may be placed in the recesses 39 and 40 to protect the bolts against the heat of the ash and at the same time seal the joints to prevent leakage of water.

The upper plates 23 of the lower section 'l of hopper i are also provided with semi circula' ribs 42 along the upper edges thereof which fit into the recesses 28 of the lower plates 25 of the upper section B. This construction forms an effective seal between the upper and lower sections of the hopper. The ribs 27 of the upper plates 24 of section 6 fit snugly in the masonry 43 to which the hopper is attached and thus an efiective seal is also provided between the hopper and the ash pit.

These hinged joints permit the walls of the upper section 6 to be inclined at any desired angle from a Vertical plane so that the upper edges thereof will fit the opening of the ash pit and still maintain a seal between the sections and also between the hopper and the ash pit. The perimeter of the lower end of section 6 must always be the same so as to fit the lower section 'I but the perimeter of the upper end varies in accordance with the opening of the ash pit. In case the side walls of section 6 are at an angle to the vertical plane it of course would be necessary to saw the side plates of the end walls to correspond with the inclination thereof but this may readily be done and therefore new plates need not be designed. The depth of the upper section may be varied by simply employing the proper number of plates 24 and 25. The sizes of these plates have been so chosen that any desired depth may be obtained.

The gates 5 constitute the bottom wall of the hopper. These gates are supported by side members 45 and 46 which in turn are journalled on pins 41 and 48, secured to brackets 49 and 50 extending upwardly from cross members 2|. Each side member 45 and 46 has secured thereto a segmental gear 5! which meshes with the segmental gear 5| secured to the adjacent supporting member 45 or 46. It therefore is seen that any movement imparted to one of the gates 5 will cause an equal and opposite movement of the other. The mechanism for Operating the gates 5 to open and closed position will now be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a fluid motor is suitably secured to cross member !9 by bolts 56. Motor 55 comprises a cylinder 51 having a piston 58 Operating therein. A rod 59 connected to piston 58 is guided for reciprocation in a bracket 60 secured to the right hand end of cylinder 51, as viewed in Fig. 1. A coupling Gi is pivotally secured to the free end of piston rod 59 and has attached thereto one end of a rod 62. The other end of rod 62 is secured to a second coupling 63 which in turn is pivotally attached to an arm 64 secured to a shaft 65. Shaft 65 extends across the lower side of the hopper and is journalled in brackets 85, 66 secured to and extending outwardly from the corner upright members !8. Arms 6'! also secured to shaft 65 near the opposite ends of the latter, respectively, has pivotally attached to the ends thereof, the upper end of links 69, the lower end of said links being pivotally attached at 10 to the supporting side members 45 of the right hand gate 5. By virtue of the connections just described, it is apparent that when piston 58 moves to the right (Fig. 1) the gates 5 will swing in opposite directions to open position and when piston 58 moves to the left the gates will be returned to closed position. Pipes 'H and 12 are connected to the left and right hand ends, respectively, of cylinder 51. These pipes communicate with a four-way valve 13 of any suitable construction. An inlet pipe 14 and an outlet pipe 15 also communicate with valve 13. By this construction when hand lever 16 of valve 13 is turned in one direction fluid will enter the left hand end of cylinder 51 through pipe 14, valve 13, and pipe 'H causing piston 58 to move to the right, thus opening gates 5. The fluid displaced by movement of piston 58 will fiow through pipe 12, valve 13, and discharge pipe 15. When lever 16 is moved in the opposite direction fluid enters the right hand end of oylinder 51 causing piston 58 to move to the left and consequently causing the gates 5 to be swung to closed position. The fluid displaced by piston 58 will now flow through pipe TI, valve 13, and outlet pipe 15. The specific construction of Valve 13 forms no part of the present invention and any well known valve of this type may be used.

The inner edges of gates 5 are serrated and are spaced some distance apart to permit the water employed to quench the ashes to drain from the hopper. This water flows into a trough 18 extending longitudinally of the hopper beneath this opening.

The trough 18 is of substantially U-shaped cross section and is provided with a discharge fitting 19 intermediate the ends thereof. This fitting is secured to a spout which in turn is Secured to a vertical extension 8I. Extension 8l is pivotally supported in the enlarged upper end 82 of a drain pipe 83 which leads to the main drain of the plant.

A vertical shaft 84, suitably journalled in bearings and 88 provided on a bracket 81, Secured to a centrally disposed upright member' !8, extends into vertical extension 81. A collar 88 Secured to shaft 84, and resting upon bearing 88, holds said shaft against downward movement. A second collar 98 is Secured to shaft 84 to which the upper end of a link 9! is attached. The lower end of link 9| is attached to a rib 92 extending upwardly from spout 80. Link 9| acts as a brace for trough 18 and, as will presently appear, forms the Operating connection between the trough 18 and shaft 84. Trough 18 may be swung bodily about pipe 83 as a pivot, and through its connection with shaft 84 by link SI, the shaft will also be rotated by this movement of the trough. Thus the trough 18 may be swung to an out of the way position before the gates 5 are opened to discharge the contents of the hopper into the car 4.

For the purpose of illustration but one hopper has been shown, it being apparent that any number may be employed as desired. Referring to Fig. 2 it is seen that the end wall ll8 of the upper section 6 of the hopper inclines upwardly and outwardly. The end wall of the next adjacent hopper (not shown) slopes toward this wall and is connected thereto at the upper end thereof, thus forming a bridge between adjacent hoppers. By this construction no dead spaces are provided between the hoppers. The number of hoppers employed in a stoker furnace depends upon the width of the stoker. In some of the larger sto-kers four such hoppers are employed.

While the hopper described herein is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown, since it may be embodied in other forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A hopper structure, comprising end and side walls, each of said walls comprising a series of plates, a structural framework for said plates, means providing hinged joints between the horizontal abutting edges o'f said plates adapting the latter for angular adjustment, and said last mentioned means comprising interlocking elements which maintain a seal between said plates throughout the range of angular adjustment thereof.

2. A hopper structure, comprising spaced metal uprights and substantially rectangular wall plates supported on said uprights, each of said plates comprising a cast iron body portion, bosses provided on said body portion at spaced points and near the edges thereof, each of said bosses having an enlarged recess provided therein and an aperture at the bottom thereof, and bolt means engaging into each of said recesses and apertures for securing said plates to said metal uprights, each of said bolts comprising a cast iron protective head which occupies substantially the entire space of the associated recess.

3. A hopper, comprising in combination an upper section and a lower section, end and side walls for each of said sections, each of said walls comprising a series of plates arranged in abutting relation, and means providing hinged joints between certain of the abutting edges of said plates adapting the same for angular adjustment, said means comprising interlocking elements whereby a seal is maintained between said plates throughout the range of angular adjustment thereof.

4. A hopper structure, comprising an upper section and a lower section, side and end walls for said sections, the walls of said upper section comprising a series of substantially rectangular plates of standard construction, some of said plates having a greater vertical dimension than others, whereby the depth of the hopper may be varied in accordance with the head room available, and means providing hinged joints between said plates( 5. A hopper structure comprising an upper section and a lower section, side and end walls for said sections, said walls comprising a series of standard cast iron plates, and interlocking means on the abutting edges of said plates providing a hinged joint therebetween adapting said plates for angular adjustment and maintaining a seal between said plates throughout the range of adjustment thereof.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a furnace having an ash pit, a hopper Suspended from said ash pit, said hopper comprising an upper section and a lower section, side and end walls for each of said sections, means providing hinged joints between the walls of said sections, and means providing hinged joints between the walls of the upper section and the corresponding walls of said ash pit, all of said joints comprising interlocking elements which maintain a seal between said walls throughout the range of angular adjustment thereof. 

